THE GREAT OMISSION

            

During a time of testimonies at Lansdowne Baptist Church, England in the Summer of 1952, Rev Francis Dixon heard two very similar stories from two British sailors who had never met each other before. Both sailors, while on short leave in Sydney, were approached by a man who asked the question: “Young man, if you were to die tonight, where would you be, in heaven or in hell?”In the course of time they both returned home.

The encounter with this mysterious man in George Street, Sydney left such a deep impression on their hearts and minds that they both sought spiritual help when back in England. Later, they both became Christians, Dixon himself having the pleasure of leading one of the sailors to Christ. Shortly after this, Dixon departed with his wife Nancy for his first preaching tour to Australia and New Zealand.

Deeply fascinated by the coincidence of the two stories of the sailors and recognising that he was heading to the land where these events had happened, he resolved to investigate the matter further. Who was this unconventional street-evangelist? Why had he chosen to act in such a way? And how many other people had been impacted by his ministry? It didn’t take long to get some answers.

While preaching in a large hall one night, Dixon related the stories of the two sailors from England. At this point, their host, who happened to be sitting next to Mrs Dixon, and to whom they had just been introduced, waved his arms around, jumped up, and said, “I’m another! I’m another!” This man, Murray Wilkes, later told them that during the war the evangelist had approached him while he was running to catch a tram, and that he had given his life to Christ in an army barracks two weeks later.

While in Perth, Dixon again shared the story of the two sailors. This time, a man approached him after the talk to say that he too had become a Christian as a consequence of the single sentence uttered by the evangelist on George Street, Sydney. What’s more, he had gone on to lead Christian Endeavour for Western Australia. And so, Dixon reached Sydney determined to meet the man behind these stories.

On arrival, he related the stories to local Christian worker Alec Gilchrist, and asked if he knew the evangelist. “I know him well”, said Alec. “His name is Frank Jenner. He works with the Forces and he is a sailor himself. He worships at one of the Christian Brethren assemblies in Sydney”. Later in Frank’s house, as Dixon told the four stories of the men who had responded to his simple question, Frank with tears in his eyes, fell to his knees and prayed: “O Lord, thank you”.

After prayer, Jenner confessed that after speaking to 10 people a day for the previous 16 years, this was the first time he had heard of lasting results. “You know, I never heard that anyone I ever spoke to had gone on for the Lord. Some made professions of salvation when I spoke to them but I never ever knew any more than that”, he said to his guests.

Just a month after meeting Frank Jenner, Dixon met a man who worked for ‘Mission to Mediterranean Garrisons’ . He said, “I too was challenged by Mr. Jenner and now I am in a soul-winning work myself”. Four years after this, while ministering to missionaries in India, Mr Dixon found another convert from George Street, Sydney. She had responded to the evangelist’s challenge and offered her life for service in India.

Those who knew Frank Jenner testify that his nature was warm, that he quickly inspired trust in others and that his life was marked by persistence in prayer. It is no surprise, then, that his influence extended far beyond Australia. In all, Francis Dixon knew of 10 people who had come to Christ as a consequence of the influence of Frank Jenner. I wonder how many more there are? His life is a wonderful testimony of how God can use those who remain faithful to him (by Stephen Tucker)

The last words of Jesus according to the Matthew gospel were “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them ... teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age”(matt. 28:18-20). Acts 1:8 contains the last recorded words of Jesus on earth. These are Jesus’ last words yet not as a dying man, but as the Lord of Glory!

He told his disciples “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). These words tell us what was on the Savior’s heart just before he ascended into heaven. He mapped out the mission of the Church with absolute clarity. He wanted to make sure that there was no confusion.

 Acts 1:8  is the key verse in the Book of Acts and it gives us God’s job description for every Christian and his plan for the entire Church. The first half tells us what to do and the second half tells us where to do it. Acts 1:8 offers us an outline for the book of Acts; it also outlines of the geographical spread of the gospel.  The gospel followed the very path that Jesus had indicated it would.

In chapters 1-7, the focus is on Jerusalem; in chapters 8-12, the gospel moves out to Judea and Samaria and in chapters 13-28, the gospel spreads all the way to Rome. The disciples were to start spreading the gospel in Jerusalem- their community, Judea - their country, Samaria- the neighbouring country, Ends of the earth - the continents. This verse offers a plan of outreach that, if followed, will produce a healthy church with a dynamic impact on the world.

Jesus said “you will receive power... and you will be my witnesses”. They had been called and trained for that very purpose. The first disciple to be called by Jesus were Andrew and Peter. He told them “follow me and I will make you fishers of men”(matt. 4:19). His last words to Peter were “Simon...do you love me?... take care of my sheep... feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17). To the whole group he said, “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (mark 16:15).

Every sales person knows you can’t sell what you don’t believe in. People can tell if you are just rehearsing a memorized presentation. The best sales people are those who believe in what they are selling to the point that they are simply talking about what they know to be true. It’s the same way with the gospel. If you haven’t experienced Jesus, you can’t witness for him.

It’s when we speak of him as naturally as we talk of any earthly friend that God uses our testimony to the salvation of others. What a difference it makes when you share from the depths of your heart what you know to be true about Jesus. Have you proved him to be a wonderful savior and master? Tell others about what he has done for you (mark 5:19-20). This is the best kind of witnessing.

Living a Christ-like life is very important but it does not exempt us from the responsibility of speaking for the Lord. The Great Commission is still in effect.  The Church should hear the Savior addressing these words to her now. The words of Christ are living words, they have the same power today and our marching orders are the same as theirs.

There are two ways the Christian is to obey the Lord Jesus Christ and go.   First there is the evangelistic effort that you do on your own as you go about your daily routines. There will be family, workmates, neighbors, friends and strangers who cross your path.  The second is your Church’s organized outreach. Since there are some people who can be reached in one way who will never be reached another way, it is imperative that we go both ways. If you do not evangelize, then you commit sin of omission.

A distinguished Scottish pastor put the matter this way, “to every true Christian these two things may be said: You have need of Christ and Christ has need of you. The simple fact that a Christian is on earth and not in heaven, is proof that there is something for him here to do; and if he is not doing it, the neglect shows either that he is not yet a Christian or that he is a Christian who grieves Christ.”

Is the church taking the great commission seriously today? Has the commission become the great omission? Is our Lord’s last command a priority to us as individuals and to the church? Are we contented with those who already know Christ? Jesus concluded the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:1-7) with these words  “there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”(Rom. 10:15). Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out  weeping , carrying seed to sow will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them (Ps. 126:5-6).  Those who are wise  will shine like the brightness of heavens and those who lead many to righteousness  like the stars forever and ever (Dan. 12:3).